Apparatus for discharging water with passage selection sensor

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an apparatus for discharging water wherein light is emitted to the output water so as to visually identify kinds of water and like. The apparatus includes sensors (9, 29, 134) for sensing characteristics of water, such as the temperature, flow, pressure, pH and hardness of water, passages as selected by a passage selection valve, or integrated flow of water flowing through a filtering element, a light emitting device (7, 31, 150) such as LED for emitting light to the passage or region downstream of the passage in response to the characteristics as sensed, and an optical fiber (11, 12, 36, 37, 152).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for discharging water suchas a water faucet and in particular, to an apparatus constructed to emitlight to output water in response to the temperature, quality, pressureor volume of water.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been proposed an automatic faucet wherein a switch is operableto change the volume or temperature of the output water. A lamp isturned on and off so that a user may visually recognize the volume ortemperature of water.

It is well known that a water purifier includes a purifying agent suchas an activated carbon to purify tap water. The water purifier typicallyincludes a changeover valve operable to selectively discharge tap waterand purified water. A lamp is turned on when the changeover valve isoperated to provide purified water. A sensor (for example, conductancemeter) is provided to detect the quality of purified water, and awarning lamp is turned on when the quality of the purified waterdeteriorates. A similar warning lamp is turned on when the volume ofwater flowing through the purifying agent exceeds a predetermined level.

Those lamps are often placed in a control box which is separated from awater faucet. In some case, the lamps are mounted to a faucet, but tothe upper portion of the faucet, so that water hardly splashes thelamps. A disadvantage with this arrangement is that the user can noteasily view the lamps.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatusfor discharging water comprising a water passageway, wherein theapparatus further includes sensor means for sensing characteristics ofwater flowing through the water passageway, and light emitting means foremitting light to the water passageway or a region downstream of thewater passageway in response to the characteristics as sensed.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the characteristics includesone or more of the following: water temperature, water flow, waterpressure and water concentration.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the water concentration is pHand/or hardness.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided anapparatus for discharging water including an outlet port, a plurality offeed water passages connected to the outlet port, and passage selectionmeans for selectively communicating the outlet port with either one ofthe plurality of feed water passages, wherein the apparatus furtherincludes sensor means for sensing which one of the plurality of feedwater passages is selected by the passage selection means, and lightemitting means for emitting light to the feed water passage or a regionthrough which water flows from the outlet port in response to thesensing by the sensor means.

In this case, a filtering element is disposed in either one of the feedwater passages.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided anapparatus for discharging water including a filtering element, whereinthe apparatus further includes sensor means disposed downstream of thefiltering element for sensing the quality of water, and light emittingmeans for emitting light to a passage in the apparatus or a regionthrough which the water flows from an outlet port in response to thesensing by the sensor means.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is providedan apparatus for discharging water including a filtering element,wherein the apparatus further includes sensor means for sensingintegrated flow of water flowing through the filtering element, andlight emitting means for emitting light to a passage in the apparatus ora region through which the water flows from an outlet port in responseto the total amount of flow as sensed.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the light emitting meanscomprises a light emitting device and an optical fiber for guiding lightfrom the light emitting device. Of course, any light emitting deviceother than LED and any light transmitter other than the optical fibermay be used.

In the present invention, in order to sense a selected one of thepassages in the apparatus, a sensor or switch may be used to senseangular position of a handle or valve of the present apparatus. Also, inthe present invention, a motor or solenoid is used to change passages,and an electric switch is used to select a desired passage. In such acase, light may be emitted in response to a signal from the electricswitch.

In the apparatus of the present invention, since color light is emittedto the output water, the user may view the water as if it is colored.The user almost always views the output water when the water faucet isin use. As such, the user can visually identify water volume ortemperature.

According to the present invention, light is emitted to the output waterin response to the temperature, flow rate, pressure, pH (hydrogen ionconcentration), and hardness of water.

According to another aspect of the invention, light is emitted to waterin response to integrated flow of water flowing through the filteringelement.

In the present invention, in order to sense a selected one of thepassages in the apparatus, a sensor or switch may be used to senseangular position of a handle or valve of the present apparatus. Also, inthe present invention, a motor or solenoid is used to change passages,and an electric switch is used to select a desired passage. In such acase, light may be emitted in response to a signal from the electricswitch.

In the present invention, the color of output light may be varied inresponse to the temperature, volume, pressure, pH or hardness of theoutput water. For example, blue light is emitted when the output waterhas a temperature of lower than 20°. Red light is emitted when theoutput water has a temperature of higher than 40°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views of different embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a water purifier according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the water purifier;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the water purifier;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are front views of water purifier according to differentembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a water purifier according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a right side view of the water purifier;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are sectional views showing the principal part of awater faucet; and

FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 are perspective views of a valve body 80.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENITON

FIGS. 1 and 2 are sectional and side views of one embodiment of a waterfaucet. 2 is an inlet port communicated with an outlet port 4 through adischarge passageway 3. A male thread is formed on the outer peripheryof the inlet port 2. An O-ring 5 is also fit around the inlet port 2.The water faucet 1 has an integral control chamber 6. Included in thecontrol chamber 6 is a base plate 8 on which a control circuit (notshown) and a LED (light emitting diode) 7 are placed.

A sensor 9 is exposed to the discharge passageway 3 to detect thevolume, temperature, pressure, pH (hydrogen ion concentration) orhardness (e.g. calcium carbonate) of water in the discharge passageway3. As an alternative, the sensor 9 may be disposed behind (or so as notto extend through) the pipe wall of the passageway 3. In such a case,the temperature of water in the passageway 3 can be detected by sensingheat transmitted through the pipe wall.

The sensor 9 is connected to the base plate 8 through a lead wire 10.Two optical fibers 11 and 12 have one ends oriented to face the LED 7.The other ends 11A and 12A of the optical fibers 11 and 12 arepositioned to surround the outlet port 4. 13 is an electric cellconnected to the base plate 8 through a lead wire 14.

With the water faucet 1 thus constructed,

when water temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds apredetermined temperature;

when the rate of flow of water detected by the flow sensor exceeds apredetermined rate;

when water pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure;

when pH is deviated from a predetermined range (for example, between 6and 8); or

when water hardness exceeds a predetermined level,

LED 7 is turned on to emit color light to water discharged from theoutlet port 4. As a result, it can be observed that: the temperature ofoutlet water exceeds a predetermined temperature; the rate of flow ofoutput water exceeds a predetermined rate; water pressure exceeds apredetermined pressure; ph is deviated from a predetermined range; orhardness exceeds a predetermined level. A user always visually recognizethe temperature, the volume, the pressure, pH and hardness of waterwhenever the water faucet 1 is used.

In the present invention, a water pressure sensor can be used as thesensor 9, and LED is turned on when output water pressure is above apredetermined level. In this way, it can visually be recognized that thepressure of the outlet water from the water faucet 1 is high, andsplashing is easily obtainable.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a water faucet 1A according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. The end 11A of the optical fiber 11is oriented toward the passageway 3 to emit light to the outlet port 4.15 is a transparent seal. Now that light is emitted to the output water,this embodiment is also operated in the same manner and provides thesame advantages as stated earlier. Preferably, light is emitted from theend 11A of the optical fiber 11 directly to the outlet port 4.Alternatively, light may reaches the outlet port 4 while being normallyor randomly reflected from the inner surface of the passageway 3.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a combined hot and cold waterfaucet 1B. The end 11A of the optical fiber 11 is so oriented as to emitlight to the outlet port 4.

Hot water flows into a mixing valve 15 through an inlet port 2A (notshown). Cold water flows into the mixing valve 15 through an inlet port2B. The mixing valve 15 is operable to mix hot and cold water in amanner to produce a mixture of a predetermined temperature. The mixturethen flows into a mixing chamber 16 and out of the outlet port 4 throughan outlet opening 17 and a conduit 18. The other like reference numeralsin FIG. 4 designate like elements in FIG. 1. Now that light is emittedto the output water, this embodiment is also operable in the same mannerand provides the same advantages as stated earlier.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of an apparatus for dischargingwater (water purifier) according to one embodiment of the presentinvention (taken along the line V--V of FIG. 7). FIG. 6 is a side view,and FIG. 7 is a front view.

A water purifier 21 includes an inlet port 22 at its upper portion andan outlet port 23 at its lower portion. The inlet port 22 and the outletport 23 are communicated with one another through a passageway 24. Achangeover valve 25 is arranged in the passageway 24 to selectivelycommunicate the inlet port 22 with the outlet port 23 and a branchpassage 26. The branch passage 26 is coupled to an inlet 27A of apurifier cartridge 27. The purifier cartridge 27 has an outlet 27Bcommunicated with the passageway 24 through a purified water passage 28.

The changeover valve 25 has an operating shaft 25A extending externallyof the water purifier 21. A handle 25B is secured to one end of theoperating shaft 25A. An arm 25C extends radially from the operatingshaft 25A. When the handle 25B is operated, the arm 25C is brought intoengagement with a limit switch 29. A control chamber 30 is defined atthe rear of the water purifier 21 and includes a circuit board 32 onwhich a control circuit (not shown) and LED 31 are placed. 33 is anelectric cell adapted to supply electric power to the circuit board 33.The electric cell 33 and the limit swicth 29 are connected to thecircuit board 32 through lead wires 34 and 35, respectively.

Two optical fibers 36 and 37 have one ends A oriented to receive lightfrom LED 31. The other ends B of the optical fibers 36 and 37 arepositioned around the outlet port 23 so as to direct light from LED 31to water flowing out of the outlet port 23.

With the water purifier 21 thus constructed, when the handle 25B isturned to a tap water position, the changeover valve 25 is operable toprovide a direct communication between the inlet port 22 and the outletport 23. Tap water flows from the inlet port 22 toward the outlet port23 through the passageway 24, not through the purifier cartridge 27. Thetap water is then discharged from the outlet port 23. In this case, LED31 is rendered inoperative, and no light is directed to tap waterflowing out of the outlet port 23.

When the handle 25B is turned to a purified water position, the inletport 22 is brought into communication only with the branch passage 26.Tap water flows from the inlet port 22 into the purified water cartridge27. The tap water is, then, purified by a purifying agent such as anactivated carbon filled in the purified water cartridge 27. Thispurified water is returned to the passageway 27 through the purifiedwater passage 28 and then, discharged from the outlet port 23. When thehandle 25B is turned to its purified water position, the arm 25C comesinto contact with the limit switch 29. A signal is then send to thecircuit on the circuit board 32. A control circuit on the circuit board32 is rendered operative to turn on LED 31 in response to the inputsignal. Light is emitted from the end A of LED 31 to the optical fibers36 and 37. The light is, then, emitted from the other end B of theoptical fibers 36 and 37 to purified water flowing out of the outletport 23.

LED 31 emits color light. Accordingly, the output purified water isobserved as if it is colored. A user almost always views waterdischarged from the outlet port 23 when the water purifier 21 is in use.The user can visually recognize whether the output water is purified bylooking at the water to which color light is emitted.

FIG. 8 illustrates a water purifier 21' according to another embodimentof the present invention. The end B of the optical fiber 37 is orientedtoward the passageway 24 so as to emit light to the outlet port 23. 38is a transparent seal. Now that light is emitted to the outlet port 23,this embodiment is also operated in the same manner and provides thesame advantages as stated earlier.

Preferably, light is emitted from the end B of the optical fiber 37directly to the outlet port 23. Alternatively, light may reach theoutlet port 23 while being normally or randomly reflected from the innersurface of the passageway 24.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a water purifier 21" according to a stillanother embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a waterquality sensor 40 is arranged in the purified water passage 28 to detectthe quality of purified water. This sensor 40 is operable to send asignal to the circuit board (not shown in FIG. 5). In this embodiment,LED (not shown) is rendered operative to emit light of different colorto water discharged from the outlet port 23 when the quality of thewater as purified in the purified water cartridge 27 is below apredetermined level. Thus, the user can recognize whether the servicelife of the purifying agent in the purified water cartridge 27 is over.

The water quality sensor 40 may be in the form of an electricconductance meter or chlorine sensor.

In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9, aflowmeter (not shown) may be provided in place of the water purifiedsensor 40. In the circuit board 32, the flow of purified water flowingthrough the purified water passage 28 is calculated. Light of differentcolor is then emitted to the water discharged from the outlet port 23when the total amount of flow is above a predetermined level. In thisway, the user is able to know the time to replace the existing purifyingagent.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a water faucet 50 for use in thewater purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 11 is a right side view, partly in section, of the water faucet.FIGS. 12 and 13 are sectional views of a valve casing taken along thelines of XII--XII and XIII--XIII of FIG. 10. FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 areperspective views of a valve element 80.

The water faucet 50 includes a faucet casing 52 in which a valve body 54is received. The faucet casing 52 includes an upper casing 56 and alower casing 58. The upper casing 56 is flat as viewed in plan. Anopening 62 is formed in one side of the top of the upper casing to mounta purified water cartridge 60. Formed in the opposite side of the top ofthe upper casing is an opening 66 through which an inlet port 64 of therotary valve 54 extends outwardly of the casing 52.

The lower casing 58 is also flat as viewed in plan and has an opening 74through which an outlet port 72 of the valve body 54 extends outwardlyof the faucet casing 52.

A passage 70 is defined in the bottom of the lower casing 58 so thatwater as purified in the purified water cartridge 60 flows into theoutlet port 72.

A valve element 80 is inserted into the valve body 54. The valve body 54has an integral purified water cartridge connecting section 82. Waterflows from the valve element 80 into the purified water cartridgeconnecting section 82 through a connecting passage 84. The purifiedwater cartridge connecting section 82 includes an outer passage 86 andan inner passage 88.

A purified water outlet 60A extends centrally from the bottom of thepurified water cartridge 60. A unpurified water inlet 60B is definedcoaxially around the purified water outlet 60A. The purified watercartridge 60 includes a filtering element 60C such as an activatedcarbon.

Water flows from the outer passage 86 into the purified water cartridge60 through the unpurified water inlet 60B and is, then, purified bymeans of the element 60C. The water thus purified flows from thepurified water outlet 60A to the inner passage 88.

The valve element 80 is substantially cylindrical and includes a firstball holding recess 92 and a second ball holding recess 94.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, the ball holding recess 92extends laterally of the valve element 80. This ball holding recess 92is communicated with an end opening 96 of the valve element 80 through aslot or passage 98. A ball 100 is received in the ball holding recess92.

The ball holding recess 94 extends laterally of the valve element 80.The ball holding recess 94 extends at right angles to the ball holdingrecess 92. A ball 102 is received in the ball holding recess 94.

A partition 97 extends between the ball holding recess 92 and thepassage 98 and has a notch 97A. A partition 99 extends between the ballholding recess 92 and the ball holding recess 94 and has a notch 99A.The slot or passage 98, the ball holding recess 92 and the ball holdingrecess 94 are mutually communicated with one another through thesenotches 97A and 99A. Formed behind the ball holding recesses 92 and 94are arcuate recesses 92A and 94A.

The valve body 54 includes an inlet port 104 at its top, and outletports 106 and 108 at its bottom.

A tubular member 110 extends downwardly from the valve body 54 and formsan outlet port 106. An opening 112 is defined in the tubular member 110to provide a communication between the passage 70 and the interior ofthe tubular member 110.

The reference numeral 114 denotes a cap. The cap 114 has a centraloutlet 116 in communication with the outlet port 106.

Shower outlets 118 are defined in the periphery of the cap 114 andcommunicated with the outlet port 108.

The shower outlets 108 are also communicated with the passage 70.

An operating shaft 124 extends from one end of the valve element 80opposite to the end in which the end opening 96 is defined. A handle 126is fit over the operating shaft 124. The operating shaft 124 extendsthrough the faucet casing 52.

The reference numeral 128 denotes a bearing for the operating shaft 124.The bearing 128 has a radial bore 132 into which a switch 134 extends.The switch 134 includes a spring adapted to urge a protrusion 136outwardly. The protrusion 136 is in contact with the inner surface ofthe lower casing 58.

A recess 140 is formed in the outer periphery of the operating shaft124. When the head of the switch 134 extends into the recess 140, theswitch 124 is extended under the influence of the internal spring so asto open the contact of the switch 124. On the other hand, when the headof the switch 134 comes into contact with the outer periphery of theoperating shaft other than the recess 140, the switch 134 is shortenedto close the contact of the switch.

Formed behind the casing 52 is a circuit chamber 142 in which anelectric cell 144, a circuit board 146 and LED 150 are situated. Anoptical fiber 152 is positioned to direct light from LED 150 to near theoutlet 118. 148 is a lead wire by which the switch 134 and the board 146are connected together.

The water purifier includes the water faucet 50 and the purified watercartridge 60. With this arrangement, water flows from the inlet port 104into the valve element whereby the water separately flows.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 16, if the valve element 80 is positioned suchthat the first ball holding recess 92 is oriented toward the inlet port104 and the outlet port 108, and the second ball holding recess 94 isoriented only toward the inlet port 104, then the end opening 96 isdisconnected from the connecting passage 84, and the shower outlets 108are closed by the ball 100. Water, as introduced through the inlet port104, flows around the valve element 80, through the recess 94A and thetap water outlet port 106, and out of the central outlet 116.

If the valve element 80 is rotated by 90° in the direction of the arrowR in FIG. 16 from the position shown in FIGS. 10 and 16 to the positionshown in FIG. 15, then the outlet port 108 is opened. Instead, the tapwater outlet port 106 is closed by the ball 102. The connecting passage84 remains closed. As a result, water, introduced through the inlet port104, flows around the valve element 80, through the outlet port 108 andout of the shower outlets 118.

If the valve element 80 is rotated by 180° from the postion shown inFIG. 16 to the position shown in FIG. 14, then the ball holding recess92 is oriented toward the outlet port 108. This causes the ball 100 toclose the outlet port 108. The ball holding recess 108 is also orientedtoward the tap water outlet port 106. This causes the ball 102 to closethe tap water outlet port 106. The end opening 96 is instead broughtinto communication with the connecting passage 84. As a result, waterfrom the inlet port 104 flows, through the passage 98, the end opening96, the connecting passage 84, the outer passage 86, the faucet casing60, the inner passage 88 and the passage 70 in that order, and out bothof the central outlet 116 and the shower outlets 118.

When the valve element is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 14, theouter periphery of the operating shaft 124, except for the recess, comesinto contact with the switch 134. This results in a decrease in thelength of the switch 134. The switch is then on so that LED 150 may emitlight. The light is emitted from LED 150 through the optical fiber 152to the output water. Now that color light is directed to the outputwater, it is easily seen whether the output water has been purified inthe purified water cartridge 60.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As discussed above, according to the present invention, a user cansafely visually recognize the temperature, volume, pressure,concentration (for example, pH, and hardness), and kinds of water (forexample, purified water and tap water). In the present invention, itmay, for example, emit light of different colors to the output water inresponse to water temperature. Light may be used to illuminate rooms.Additionally, light may be emitted when the temperature or volume ofwater is increased. Light colors or intervals of emission may beselected to prevent burning of the user or to save on water.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for discharging water comprising,a water outletdevice having a water passageway therein and an outlet communicatingwith the passageway for ejecting water, sensor means for sensingcharacteristics of water flowing through the water passageway, and lightemitting means associated with the sensor means and having a lightemitting device, an optical fiber for guiding light from the lightemitting device and a light emitting portion located inside the wateroutlet device, said light emitting portion being situated adjacent tothe water passageway near the outlet to orient toward the outlet througha part of the water passageway so that when light is emitted through thelight emitting portion, light passes through water flowing through thewater passageway and is seen outside the outlet.
 2. An apparatus fordischarging water as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light emittingdevice is a light emitting diode.
 3. An apparatus for discharging wateras claimed in claim 1, wherein water ejected from the outlet has acolumnar shape without spreading outwardly from the outlet.
 4. Anapparatus for discharging water as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidwater outlet device is a faucet.
 5. An apparatus for discharging watercomprising,a water outlet device having a water passageway therein andan outlet communicating with the passageway for ejecting water, sensormeans for sensing characteristics of water flowing through the waterpassageway, and light emitting means associated with the sensor meansand having a light emitting device, an optical fiber for guiding lightfrom the light emitting device and a light emitting portion locatedinside the outlet of the water outlet device without extending outwardlyfrom the water outlet device, said light emitting portion being orientedoutwardly along the water passageway so that when light is emittedthrough the light emitting portion, light is directly ejected into waterand is seen outside the outlet.
 6. An apparatus for discharging water asclaimed in claim 5, wherein said light emitting device is a lightemitting diode.
 7. An apparatus for discharging water as claimed inclaim 5, wherein water ejected from the outlet has a columnar shapewithout spreading outwardly from the outlet.
 8. An apparatus fordischarging water comprising,a water outlet device having a waterpassageway therein and an outlet communicating with the passageway forejecting water in a form of water column, sensor means for sensingcharacteristics of water flowing through the water passageway, and lightemitting means associated with the sensor means and having a lightemitting device, optical fibers for guiding light from the lightemitting device and a plurality of light emitting portions locatedinside the water outlet device to surround the outlet, said lightemitting portions being directed toward water ejected from the outlet sothat when light is emitted from the light emitting portions, light hitswater ejected from the outlet and is seen outside the outlet.
 9. Anapparatus for discharging water as claimed in claim 8, wherein saidlight emitting device is a light emitting diode.
 10. An apparatus fordischarging water comprising,a water outlet device having a waterpassageway therein and a plurality of outlets communicating with thewater passageway for ejecting and spreading water in a form of shower,sensor means for sensing characteristics of water flowing through thewater passageway, and light emitting means associated with the sensormeans and having a light emitting device, optical fibers for guidinglight from the light emitting device and a plurality of light emittingportions located inside the water outlet device to surround all theoutlets, said light emitting portions being directed toward waterejected from the outlets so that when light is emitted from the lightemitting portions, light hits water ejected from the outlets and is seenoutside the outlets.
 11. An apparatus for discharging water as claimedin claim 10, wherein said light emitting device is a light emittingdiode.
 12. An apparatus for discharging water comprising,a water outletdevice having a plurality of water passageways therein, passageselection means for selecting one of the water passageways, and anoutlet communicating with the passageways for ejecting water, sensormeans for sensing characteristics of water flowing through the waterpassageways and communicating with the passage selection means, andlight emitting means associated with the sensor means, said sensor meansshowing a condition of the passage selection means at the light emittingmeans, said light emitting means having a light emitting portion locatedinside the water outlet device, said light emitting portion beingsituated adjacent to the water passageway near the outlet to orienttoward the outlet through a part of the water passageway so that whenlight is emitted through the light emitting portion, light passesthrough water flowing through the water passageway and is seen outsidethe outlet.
 13. An apparatus for discharging water as claimed in claim12, further comprising a filtering element disposed in one of said feedwater passageways.
 14. An apparatus for discharging water comprising,awater outlet device having a water passageway therein and an outletcommunicating with the passageway for ejecting water, sensor means forsensing characteristics of water flowing through the water passageway,said characteristics sensed being water concentration of at least one ofpH and hardness, and light emitting means associated with the sensormeans and having a light emitting portion located inside the wateroutlet device, said light emitting portion being situated adjacent tothe water passageway near the outlet to orient toward the outlet througha part of the water passageway so that when light is emitted through thelight emitting portion, light passes through water flowing through thewater passageway and is seen outside the outlet.